codesearch

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Instant semantic code search indexing now generally available for GitHub Copilot

GitHub Copilot now features instant semantic code search indexing, dramatically reducing the time it takes for Copilot to understand and reference your codebase.

What’s changed

Previously, when you wanted GitHub Copilot to reference your repository’s code in its responses, the semantic code search indexing process would take approximately five minutes to complete. With this update, indexing now completes in just a few seconds in most cases, though it may take up to 60 seconds. This means you can get contextually-aware Copilot assistance almost immediately after opening a repository.

Why this matters

Semantic Code Search is one of GitHub Copilot’s most powerful capabilities, enabling GitHub Copilot to:

  • Provide responses specific to your codebase’s architecture and patterns.
  • Reference existing functions, classes, and implementations in your repo.
  • Suggest code that aligns with your project’s style and conventions.
  • Answer questions about your codebase with accurate, context-aware information.

With instant semantic code search indexing, there’s virtually no waiting period between opening a repository and receiving codebase-aware AI assistance, making your development workflow more efficient and interruption-free.

How it works

Semantic code search indexing is automatically triggered when you open GitHub Copilot Chat on github.com. For VS Code users with the GitHub Copilot extension, you can also manually trigger indexing through the Copilot UI if needed.

Availability

This feature is available to all GitHub Copilot users across all tiers, including the free tier. There are no limits on how many repositories can be indexed.

Learn more

For detailed information about repository indexing for GitHub Copilot, check out our documentation.

Join the discussion within GitHub Community.

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Global Code Search on GitHub Mobile

GitHub Mobile Code Search

Introducing Global Code Search on GitHub Mobile

Global code search is now available directly from the home screen on GitHub Mobile. This addition enables users to conveniently find code snippets, navigate repositories, and access content directly from the home screen.
With global code search, users can easily locate anything they need while on the go.

Download or update GitHub Mobile today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to get started.

Learn more about GitHub Mobile and share your feedback to help us improve.

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Navigate Code on the Go

 

Code Search: Easily search for code within repositories on GitHub Mobile.

Unlock the power to locate specific code snippets within a repository while on the go. This feature empowers users to efficiently access and share code snippets, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among team members.
Whether you’re pinpointing crucial code elements or sharing insights with your colleagues, GitHub Mobile code search ensures that you stay productive and connected to your projects, no matter where you are.

Download or update GitHub Mobile today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to get started.

Learn more about GitHub Mobile and share your feedback to help us improve.

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Anonymous users have access to new code view and navigation

A total redesign of GitHub’s code search and navigation was released to all logged in GitHub users in May. Starting today, the new redesigned code navigation experience, including a file tree and symbols pane, will be available to anyone browsing anonymously on GitHub.com. To access the new code search experience, and make full use of the symbol navigation, create an account or log in to GitHub.com.

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The new code search and code view is now generally available

At GitHub Universe last year, we announced a total redesign of GitHub's code search and navigation experience, powered by our all-new code search engine that we built from scratch. And in February, we announced our public beta.

Today, we are rolling out this feature to all GitHub users. Thanks to the members of the beta community for your excellent feedback and engagement throughout the beta!

Screenshot of code search results

Check out our blog post to learn more about how GitHub's new code search and code view can help you search, navigate, and understand your code. And if you have feedback, please share it with us in our feedback discussion.

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Changes to the code search API

We are preparing to bring powerful new code search capabilities to GitHub. As part of that effort, on April 10, 2023, we will make several changes to the code search API:

  • Code search rate limits will be separated from the rate limits for other search types. The separate code search category will have a rate limit of 10 requests per minute.
  • We are deprecating support for sorting code search results. Once these changes take effect, all code search results will be sorted by best match.
  • All code search API endpoints will require authentication. This change only affects repository scoped queries, because all other query types already require authentication.

To prepare for these changes, make sure your code handles rate limiting. And if you’re using code search to track changes or find security vulnerabilities in your codebase, consider using webhooks or GitHub Advanced Security.

These changes will take effect in 30 days, on April 10, 2023.

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No more waitlist – code search and code view are available to all in public beta

Reading and understanding code is an absolutely critical task for software developers. Research suggests developers spend far more time reading code than writing it. Reviewing a pull request, planning a new feature, researching a system’s architecture, or determining how to fix a bug are all activities that rely on finding critical information scattered across the codebase.

That’s why we’ve built the new code search and code view—to help developers search, navigate, and understand their code, their team’s code, and the world’s open source code.

At GitHub Universe in November we announced the beta waitlist for the new code search and code view. Today we’re removing that waitlist. Now any user can access the new search and code viewing experience using this link, or via the feature preview menu. To access the feature preview menu, click your avatar at the top-right of a GitHub page and select Feature preview. Then select the beta and click the Enable button.

mockup screenshot of new code view and code search features

This beta brings three powerful new capabilities to GitHub.com. First, an entirely new search interface, allowing you to construct powerful queries with suggestions, completions, and the ability to slice and dice your results.

The second capability is our entirely new code search engine, capable of searching and even understanding code. It delivers more relevant results with incredible speed. Curious about how it works? Read about the groundbreaking technology behind the new code search in the GitHub blog earlier this month.

The third capability is a redesigned code view. The new view integrates search, browsing, and code navigation, allowing developers to rapidly traverse their code to find answers.

This is a big step forward for code search and navigation at GitHub, but we’re far from done. Check it out yourself, and share your feedback with us here.

 

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